System and method of pairing wireless sensors with an access point control panel

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods of pairing wireless sensing devices with an access point or control panel are provided. Some methods can include placing a sensing device within a predetermined distance of an access point or control panel, and responsive thereto, the sensing device communicating with the access point or control panel via near field talk on a pairing channel of the access point or control panel to pair the sensing device with the access point or control panel. The pairing channel can be different from a plurality of working channels of the access point or control panel.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to wireless sensors. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a system and method ofpairing wireless sensors with an access point control panel.

BACKGROUND

It is known that wireless bidirectional sensors, for example, sensingdevices that operate using the ZigBee protocol and/or are based on theIEEE 802.15.4 standard, must pair with a wireless network beforeoperating on and within that network. For example, a virgin sensingdevice must join an access point's network before communicating via andoperating on the access point's network.

In known systems and methods for pairing and joining a network, asensing device must scan wireless communication channels to locate anaccess point's working channel. For example, in some situations, thesensing device must scan all possible working channels before locatingthe access point's working channel. This can be a time and battery powerconsuming process because a scan of each working channel can last aslong as several hundred milliseconds, and some networks can include asmany as sixteen working channels. Indeed, when a plurality of scanningdevices are joining a network, the time spent for each of the pluralityof scanning devices to scan the working channels of the network can besignificant.

After the working channel is located, the sensing device must tune tothe working channel and exchange a security key with the access pointand/or a control panel of the network. This can be a cyber-security riskbecause a sniffer, intruder, or other unauthorized device or entity caneavesdrop on the working channel and obtain the security key in anunauthorized manner.

In view of the above, there is a continuing, ongoing need for animproved system and method of pairing wireless sensors with an accesspoint control panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a flow diagram of a method in accordance with disclosedembodiments;

FIG. 1B is a continuation of the flow diagram shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 is a system diagram of a method in accordance with disclosedembodiments; and

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a system in accordance with disclosedembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of an embodiment in many differentforms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein indetail specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that thepresent disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of theprinciples of the invention. It is not intended to limit the inventionto the specific illustrated embodiments.

Embodiments disclosed herein include an improved system and method ofpairing wireless sensors with an access point control panel. Forexample, some systems and methods disclosed herein can use near fieldtalk to establish radio communication between a wireless sensing deviceand an access point or control panel of a wireless network. It is to beunderstood that near field talk can include decreasing the transmitpower and receiving sensitivity of radio communication so that thesensing device and access point or control panel can only communicatewith one another when they are located within a predetermined distancefrom one another. Accordingly, the sensing device can touch the accesspoint or control panel and/or be brought within a predetermined distancefor example, a few inches, of the access point or control panel tocommunicate with the access point or control panel using near fieldtalk, and the transmit power and receiving sensitivity of both thesensing device and the access point or control panel can be decreased.

In some embodiments, the access point or control panel can communicateon a pairing channel to pair with a sensing device, and a pairingchannel can be selected so that the channel is relatively clear and freeof other traffic. For example, a pairing channel, such as channel 26operating at 2.480 MHz, can be selected so that the pairing channeloperates at a frequency that is different than operating frequencies ofworking channels and that can go unnoticed by standard WiFicommunication networks. In some embodiments, the sensing device can tuneto the pairing channel without scanning other working channels of theaccess point's or control panel's network to pair with the access pointor control panel.

Advantages of the systems and methods disclosed herein include, but arenot limited to security, speed, and battery conservation. First,security. Because the sensing device and the access point or controlpanel can communicate using near field talk, the sensing device and theaccess point or control panel must be touching or within a predetermineddistance from one other to exchange a security key and any other data.Accordingly, communication between the sensing device and the accesspoint or control panel is secure and a sniffer, intruder, or otherunauthorized device or entity cannot eavesdrop on such communication.

Second, speed. Because the systems and methods disclosed herein can usea fixed pairing channel, time spent by a sensing device scanningavailable working channels can be reduced and/or substantiallyeliminated. Accordingly, installation time can be reduced. Furthermore,because transmit power and receiving sensitivity can be simultaneouslyreduced, interference with the sensing device pairing with the accesspoint or control panel can be reduced and/or substantially eliminated.

Finally, battery conservation. Because scanning time and transmit powerfor a sensing device can be reduced in systems and methods disclosedherein, the battery power of the sensing device can be conserved,thereby extending the life of the battery.

In some embodiments, a virgin wireless sensing device can be installedon a network by first pairing the virgin sensing device with an accesspoint or control panel of the network. For example, the virgin sensingdevice can touch and/or be brought within a predetermined distance ofthe access point or control panel to pair the sensing device with theaccess point or control panel using near field talk as described aboveand herein. While communicating using near field talk, the virginsensing device can transmit the device's data profile to the accesspoint or control panel. However, the access point or control panel neednot take immediate action on the received profile.

Instead, after communicating with the access point or control panelusing near field talk, the sensing device can be mounted and/orinstalled at a desired location in a monitored region. Then, the sensingdevice can execute and perform a test, for example, a Go/No Go test. Insome embodiments, the sensing device can transmit a test signal to theaccess point or control panel via a wireless network, and the accesspoint or control panel can transmit a responsive test signal to thesensing device via the wireless network to approve or reject the sensingdevice. Indeed, the access point or control panel can approve a sensingdevice that has been previously paired with the access point or controlpanel using near field talk as described above and herein and reject asensing device that has not been previously been paired with the accesspoint or control panel using near field talk as described above andherein. In some embodiments, the access point or control panel canapprove or reject a sensing device according to the test signal path'sRF signal strength.

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are flow diagrams of a method 100 in accordance withdisclosed embodiments. For example, the method 100 can include a methodof adding a sensing device to a wireless network.

As seen, the method 100 can include enabling a pairing mode on an accesspoint or a control panel of the network as in 102 and the access pointor control panel transmitting a pairing permit message as in 104. Forexample, in some embodiments, the access point or control panel cantransmit the pairing permit message on a pairing channel and in apairing time slot, which, in some embodiments, can have a super frameduration. In some embodiments, the access point or control panel cantransmit the pairing permit message continuously or periodically, forexample, at periodic intervals, and in some embodiments, the accesspoint or control panel can operate in a low power mode whiletransmitting the pairing permit message.

As seen, while the access point or control panel is transmitting thepairing permit message as in 104, the access point or control panel cansimultaneously communicate with other sensors on the network as in 106.For example, in some embodiments, the access point or control panel canoperate in a normal power mode to communicate with sensors on thenetwork on a working channel, which can be different from the pairingchannel.

The method 100 can determine if there are virgin sensing devices to bepaired with the access point or control panel as in 108. If so, then themethod 100 can include placing a virgin sensing device to be paired intouch with or within a predetermined distance from the access point orcontrol panel and powering on the virgin sensing device as in 110. Then,the virgin sensing device can be tuned to the pairing channel as in 112,receive the pairing permit message from the access point or controlpanel as in 114, and, upon receiving the pairing permit message as in114, transmit a pairing request message to the access point or controlpanel as in 116. In some embodiments, the virgin sensing device canoperate in a low power mode at least when transmitting the pairingrequest message.

The access point or control panel can receive the pairing requestmessage as in 118, and, upon receiving the pairing request message as in118, can transmit a pairing accept message to the virgin sensing deviceas in 120. For example, the pairing accept message can includeidentifying information for the network, a security key for the network,and any other parameter as would be known by those of skill in the art.

The virgin sensing device can receive the pairing accept message as in122, and, upon receiving the pairing accept message as in 122, can emita visual or audible notification to confirm a successful pairing as in124. For example, in some embodiments, the virgin sensing device canflash an LED or transmit an audible beeping noise to indicate thesuccessful pairing. Then, the virgin sensing device can transmit itsdata profile to the access point or control panel as in 126 and enter adeep sleep mode to conserve battery power as in 128.

It is to be understood that, in some embodiments, any or all of thepairing permit message, the pairing request message, the pairing acceptmessage, and the virgin sensing device's data profile can be transmittedon the pairing channel and in the pairing time slot. It is to be furtherunderstood that, in some embodiments, the virgin sensing device and/orthe access point or control panel can transmit any and all messages onthe pairing channel while operating in a low power mode.

The access point or control panel can receive the virgin sensingdevice's data profile as in 130, and then the method 100 can determineif there are any other virgin sensing devices to be paired with theaccess point or control panel as in 108. When all of the virgin sensingdevices have been paired, the method 100 can include disabling thepairing mode on the access point or control panel as in 132 and enablinga testing mode on the access point or control panel as in 134, forexample, a Go/No Go test mode.

While the access point or control panel is in the testing mode, themethod 100 can determine if there are sensing devices to be tested as in136. If so, then the method 100 can include placing a sensing device tobe tested in a mounting location as in 138 and executing a testingsequence, for example, a Go/No Go test as in 140. In some embodiments,executing the testing sequence as in 140 can include receiving userinput at the sensing device to begin the testing sequence.

The method 100 can determine whether the testing sequence executed as in140 is successful as in 142. If so, then the access point or controlpanel can approve the sensing device as in 144, and a user can beconfident that the sensing device will be able to wirelessly communicatewith the access point or control panel when installed. However, if themethod 100 determines that the testing sequence executed as in 140 isunsuccessful as in 142, then the method 100 can place the sensing deviceto be tested in a new mounting location as in 138 and re-execute thetesting sequence as in 140.

After the access point or control panel approves the sensing device tobe tested as in 144, the method 100 can determine if there are any othersensing devices to be tested as in 136. When all of the sensing deviceshave been tested, the method 100 can include disabling the testing modeof the access point or control panel as in 146. Then, while the accesspoint or control panel is operating in a normal mode, sensing devicesadded to the wireless network can operate in a normal power mode andreport alarms to the access point or control panel as in 148. Forexample, the sensing devices added to the wireless network can transmitalarm notification messages to the access point or control panel on aworking channel, which can be different from the pairing channel.

FIG. 2 is a system diagram of a method 200 in accordance with disclosedembodiments. For example, the method 200 can include a method of addinga sensing device to a wireless network.

A wireless network can include an access point or control panel 210 anda sensing device 220 for joining the wireless network. As seen, themethod 200 can include touching the sensing device 220 to the accesspoint or control panel 210 to pair the sensing device 220 and the accesspoint or control panel 210 as in 250. It is to be understood that, insome embodiments, touching the sensing device 220 to the access point orcontrol panel 210 can include placing the sensing device 220 within apredetermined distance of the access point or control panel 210. It isto be further understood that, in some embodiments, pairing the sensingdevice 220 and the access point or control panel 210 as in 250 caninclude the sensing device 220 and the access point or control panel 210operating in respective low power modes, communicating with one anothervia near field talk, and communicating with one another on a pairingchannel.

After the sensing device 220 is paired with the access point or controlpanel 210 as in 250, the method 200 can include placing the pairedsensing device 220 in a mounting location and executing a testingsequence as in 260. It is to be understood that, in some embodiments,the testing sequence can include a Go/No Go test. It is to be furtherunderstood that, in some embodiments, while executing the testingsequence, the sensing device 220 and the access point or control panel210 can operate in respective low power modes, can communicate with oneanother via a wireless network, and can communicate with one another ona working channel, which can be different than the pairing channel.

After a successful testing sequence as in 260, the method 200 caninclude the sensing device 220 communicating with the access point orcontrol panel 210 in a normal mode as in 270. It is to be understoodthat, in some embodiments, operating in the normal mode can include thesensing device 220 and the access point or control panel 210 operatingin respective normal power modes, communicating with one another via awireless network, and communicating with one another on the workingchannel to report alarms and the like.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a system 300 in accordance with disclosedembodiments. In some embodiments, the system 300 can execute the method100 of FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the method 200 of FIG. 2, and others inaccordance with disclosed embodiments.

As seen in FIG. 3, the system 300 can include a sensing device 310communicating with an access point or control panel 320. The sensingdevice 310 can include at least a sensor 311, a user interface 312, atransceiver 313, control circuitry 314, one or more programmableprocessors 315, and executable control software 316 as would beunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art. However, it is to beunderstood that the sensing device 310 can include other elements asknown to be included in sensing devices known in the art. The executablecontrol software 316 can be stored on a transitory or non-transitorycomputer readable medium, including, but not limited to, local computermemory, RAM, optical storage media, magnetic storage media, flashmemory, and the like. In some embodiments, the control circuitry 314,the programmable processor 315, and/or the executable control software316 can execute and control as least some of the method 100, the method200, and others in accordance with disclosed embodiments.

The access point or control panel 320 can include at least a userinterface 321, a transceiver 322, control circuitry 323, one or moreprogrammable processors 324, and executable control software 325 aswould be understood by one or ordinary skill in the art. However, it isto be understood that the access point or control panel 320 can includeother elements as known to be included in access points and controlpanels known in the art. The executable control software 325 can bestored on a transitory or non-transitory computer readable medium,including, but not limited to, local computer memory, RAM, opticalstorage media, magnetic storage media, flash memory, and the like. Insome embodiments, the control circuitry 323, the programmable processor324, and/or the executable control software 325 can execute and controlas least some of the method 100, the method 200, and others inaccordance with disclosed embodiments.

Although a few embodiments have been described in detail above, othermodifications are possible. For example, the logic flows described abovedo not require the particular order described, or sequential order, toachieve desirable results. Other steps may be provided, or steps may beeliminated, from the described flows, and other components may be addedto, or removed from, the described systems. Other embodiments may bewithin the scope of the invention.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations andmodifications may be effected without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation withrespect to the specific system or method described herein is intended orshould be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover all suchmodifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: placing a first devicewithin a predetermined distance of a second device; and the first devicecommunicating with the second device via near field talk on a pairingchannel of the second device to pair the first device with the seconddevice, wherein the pairing channel is different from a plurality ofworking channels of the second device, and wherein the first devicecommunicating with the second device on the pairing channel of thesecond device includes the first device tuning to the pairing channelabsent scanning the plurality of working channels of the second device.2. The method of claim 1 wherein placing the first device within thepredetermined distance of the second device includes touching the firstdevice to the second device.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the firstdevice communicating with the second device via near field talk includesthe first device communicating with the second device via radiocommunication.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first devicecommunicating with the second device via near field talk on the pairingchannel of the second device to pair the first device with the seconddevice includes the first device and the second device exchangingpairing messages via near field talk on the pairing channel.
 5. Themethod of claim 4 wherein the first device and the second deviceexchanging pairing messages includes the first device transmitting adata profile of the first device to the second device via near fieldtalk on the pairing channel.
 6. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising: the first device communicating with the second device via awireless network on one of the plurality of working channels.
 7. Themethod of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first device and thesecond device operate in a low power mode while communicating on thepairing channel.
 8. The method of claim 1 further comprising: the firstdevice transmitting a test signal via a wireless network on one of theplurality of working channels after the first device is mounted; and thesecond device approving the first device in response to the test signalwhen the first device was paired with the second device via near fieldtalk on the pairing channel.
 9. A sensing device comprising: atransceiver; a programmable processor; and executable control softwarestored on a non-transitory computer readable medium, wherein, whenlocated within a predetermined distance of an access point or a controlpanel of a wireless network, the programmable processor and theexecutable control software cause the transceiver to communicate withthe access point or the control panel via near field talk on a pairingchannel of the access point or the control panel to pair with the accesspoint or the control panel, wherein the pairing channel is differentfrom a plurality of working channels of the access point or the controlpanel, and wherein the transceiver communicating with the access pointor the control panel on the pairing channel includes the programmableprocessor and the executable control software tuning the transceiver tothe pairing channel absent scanning the plurality of working channels ofthe access point or the control panel.
 10. The sensing device as inclaim 9 wherein the transceiver communicating with the access point orthe control panel via near field talk includes the transceivercommunicating with the access point or the control panel via radiocommunication.
 11. The sensing device as in claim 9 wherein theprogrammable processor and the executable control software tuning thetransceiver to the pairing channel includes the programmable processorand the executable control software tuning the transceiver directly tothe pairing channel.
 12. The sensing device as in claim 9 wherein thetransceiver communicating with the access point or the control panel vianear field talk on the pairing channel of the access point or thecontrol panel to pair with the access point or the control panelincludes the transceiver transmitting a first set of pairing messages tothe access point or the control panel via near field talk on the pairingchannel or the transceiver receiving a second set of pairing messagesfrom the access point or the control panel via near field talk on thepairing channel.
 13. The sensing device as in claim 9 wherein theprogrammable processor and the executable control software cause thetransceiver to communicate with the access point or the control panelvia a wireless network on one of the plurality of working channels. 14.The sensing device as in claim 9 wherein at least one of the transceiverand the programmable processor operate in a low power mode while thetransceiver communicates on the pairing channel.
 15. An access point orcontrol panel comprising: a transceiver; a programmable processor; andexecutable control software stored on a non-transitory computer readablemedium, wherein, when a first sensing device is located within apredetermined distance of the transceiver, the programmable processorand the executable control software cause the transceiver to communicatewith the first sensing device via near field talk on a pairing channelof the access point or the control panel to pair with the first sensingdevice, wherein the pairing channel is different from a plurality ofworking channels of the access point or control panel, and wherein thetransceiver communicating with the first sensing device on the pairingchannel includes the transceiver using a fixed pairing channel to pairwith the first sensing device.
 16. The access point or control panel asin claim 15 wherein the transceiver communicating with the first sensingdevice via near field talk includes the transceiver communicating withthe first sensing device via radio communication.
 17. The access pointor control panel as in claim 15 wherein the transceiver communicatingwith the first sensing device via near field talk on the pairing channelof the access point or the control panel to pair with the first sensingdevice includes the transceiver transmitting a first set of pairingmessages to the first sensing device via near field talk on the pairingchannel or the transceiver receiving a second set of pairing messagesfrom the first sensing device via near field talk on the pairingchannel.
 18. The access point or control panel as in claim 15 whereinthe programmable processor and the executable control software cause thetransceiver to communicate with the first sensing device via a wirelessnetwork on one of the plurality of working channels.
 19. The accesspoint or control panel as in claim 15 wherein at least one of thetransceiver and the programmable processor operate in a low power modewhile the transceiver communicates on the pairing channel.
 20. Theaccess point or control panel of claim 15, wherein the programmableprocessor and the executable control software cause the transceiver tocommunicate with a second sensing device via a wireless network on oneof the plurality of working channels while simultaneously communicatingwith the first sensing device via near field talk on the pairing channelof the access point or the control panel.